Temp worker GDPR references — documented consent before every referee contact

How GDPR applies to temp worker reference checking

When a temp agency contacts a referee about a worker, it is processing the referee's personal data — their name, contact details and employment assessment of a third party — under GDPR. The lawful basis for this processing requires documented candidate consent before referee contact. Most temp agencies do not collect this consent systematically — verbal agreement during registration, a general consent clause in terms of engagement, or simply assuming consent from the act of applying. None of these constitute documented, specific consent to references being sought for a particular placement. RefAssure makes documented, written, timestamped consent automatic — collected before any referee is contacted, stored on the platform, included in every PDF report.

Why GDPR compliance in temp references matters for client relationships

Industrial and logistics clients with formal supplier approval processes increasingly review GDPR compliance in their agency suppliers' reference checking processes. An agency that can demonstrate documented candidate consent on every worker reference is in a stronger position at client audit than one relying on informal consent assumptions. For clients operating in regulated sectors — NHS, care, financial services — documented consent is not just a client preference but a regulatory requirement that flows through the supply chain. RefAssure eliminates this risk by making consent documentation automatic and irreversible.

For temp agencies that have previously taken an informal approach to candidate consent, RefAssure provides a structured upgrade to GDPR compliance without requiring any change to existing onboarding processes. Consultants simply add the worker to RefAssure — the consent process happens automatically before any referee is approached. From 99p per reference with no subscription.